First game: ETSU

[Rick83]

If we're controlling the game like we should and considering the new red-shirt rules, this is a prime opportunity for extended playing time for our freshmen. That can hurt the overall game stats for those that care. But, it can pay off later in the year with valuable experience for our newcomers (and less wear and tear on our starters).

Agree, 100%. Let's secure a comfortable margin but give the younger players snaps, and keep our primary players healthy for the bigger games.

Agree 90%. It was nice having not used Peoples in earlier garbage time and having him available to make an impact in the bowl game.

I get what you're saying and there is some merit in "banking" those 4 freebie games for redshirt status in case of injuries but this is our weakest opponent and the best opportunity to get some of these guys real playing time. I believe Peoples' first game last year was against FCS Gardner Webb. I know i'm going to get jumped on because some posters on this board have a strange respect for ETSU football which I don't get. The FCS world isn't even putting them in the FCS top 25 at the moment and I still look at the fact that they had to go to three overtimes to edge the mighty Catamounts of Western Carolina University last year...which speaks volumes in my book.
The only way this game is not a blow out is because of coaching transition stuff with game logistics or new playbook type issues as we're about to field the most talented group of players in our highly vaunted history.

[EastHallApp]

I mean let’s be real: How many FBS o-lines have been able to handle our front 7? How many from G5? Do we think ETSU has a better OL than, say, Troy? Or ULL, MTSU, etc?

[Rick83]

I mean let’s be real: How many FBS o-lines have been able to handle our front 7? How many from G5? Do we think ETSU has a better OL than, say, Troy? Or ULL, MTSU, etc?

I suspect that the ETSU fear group must be soiling their underpants over the idea of playing ULL, Troy, Georgia Southern, UNC, or USC...and again, the players and coaches need to focus on them but as a fan...not worried.

[Black Saturday]

I mean let’s be real: How many FBS o-lines have been able to handle our front 7? How many from G5? Do we think ETSU has a better OL than, say, Troy? Or ULL, MTSU, etc?

I suspect that the ETSU fear group must be soiling their underpants over the idea of playing ULL, Troy, Georgia Southern, UNC, or USC...and again, the players and coaches need to focus on them but as a fan...not worried.

[AppSt94]

I would say on paper I would worry more about the running games of our first 3 opponents give they all have new QBs.

I think that this is pretty accurate. I imagine the Roof is scheming to stop the run and make the QB beat us with his arm.

[Saint3333]

I'm surprise how many open seats there are in the upper deck on the east side for this one (and all games).

[EastHallApp]

I'm surprise how many open seats there are in the upper deck on the east side for this one (and all games).

I haven't looked, but I'd be surprised if there WEREN'T plentiful open seats for all games. That's been the norm for several years for any game besides a P5 or Family Weekend.

[AppSt94]

I mean let’s be real: How many FBS o-lines have been able to handle our front 7? How many from G5? Do we think ETSU has a better OL than, say, Troy? Or ULL, MTSU, etc?

I suspect that the ETSU fear group must be soiling their underpants over the idea of playing ULL, Troy, Georgia Southern, UNC, or USC...and again, the players and coaches need to focus on them but as a fan...not worried.

I get your point. Fans do have the luxury to look ahead. However, it is also important to be able to objectively adjust and readjust expectations weekly based off of what you saw the week before. The manner that we beat a week one opponent should have zero influence on how we will play the week 2 opponent and so on. An example of this would be the expected score of this week’s game. Most on here expect us to curb stomp ETSU. so what is the definition of curb stomping in your mind? If we beat them say 30-3, does that mean that we are going to struggle against better competition?

[Yosef84]

I mean let’s be real: How many FBS o-lines have been able to handle our front 7? How many from G5? Do we think ETSU has a better OL than, say, Troy? Or ULL, MTSU, etc?

Exactly. That's the point my friend was making. Not many teams can match the athleticism we have.

[Black Saturday]

I mean let’s be real: How many FBS o-lines have been able to handle our front 7? How many from G5? Do we think ETSU has a better OL than, say, Troy? Or ULL, MTSU, etc?

I suspect that the ETSU fear group must be soiling their underpants over the idea of playing ULL, Troy, Georgia Southern, UNC, or USC...and again, the players and coaches need to focus on them but as a fan...not worried.

Then again maybe the fear group isn't worried because they aren't L king ahead on the schedule?

[Yosef84]

I have no "fear" at all of ETSU and I doubt anyone on the board does. Far be it from me to step on anyone's fun, but I'm old enough to remember the many years prior to 2005 when, even dominant App teams seemed to consistently "no show" for a game at some point during the year and lose to a team we had no business losing to. Contrary to popular opinion, App had teams prior to 2005 that were every bit as good and which SHOULD have competed for a national championship but didn't. In 2005, the entire theme was hyper focused on the "one game at a time" mentality and we finally got our pay off. That said, it's absolutely true that the discussions and focus of the fans on message boards has NOTHING to do with that concept working. It's about the team keeping their focus. I couldn't care less if we talk about UNC. Just saying....the "fear" is that App will no-show for an "easy" game and lose one we have no business losing. I hear the team saying all the right things and I do think Coach Drink has the "one game at a time" concept down pat, so I'm not too worried.

[bigdaddyg]

Possibly the only real bad loss since 2015 is UMass. A win by App in that game and we have 4 straight 10+ win seasons. Obviously the Stink loss was bad last year but since 2015 we really haven’t had a shocker of a loss. Saturday will be a huge win.

All that being said will we have a prediction thread? Where has Big C been?

[Rick83]

I mean let’s be real: How many FBS o-lines have been able to handle our front 7? How many from G5? Do we think ETSU has a better OL than, say, Troy? Or ULL, MTSU, etc?

I suspect that the ETSU fear group must be soiling their underpants over the idea of playing ULL, Troy, Georgia Southern, UNC, or USC...and again, the players and coaches need to focus on them but as a fan...not worried.

I get your point. Fans do have the luxury to look ahead. However, it is also important to be able to objectively adjust and readjust expectations weekly based off of what you saw the week before. The manner that we beat a week one opponent should have zero influence on how we will play the week 2 opponent and so on. An example of this would be the expected score of this week’s game. Most on here expect us to curb stomp ETSU. so what is the definition of curb stomping in your mind? If we beat them say 30-3, does that mean that we are going to struggle against better competition?

I don't know what to expect as for a final score..possibly something like Charlotte last year but that will depend on how many, and at what point, younger guys are brought in and how well the new coaching staff handles game situations with introducing some new play concepts. I'm just wearing thin on how good some perceive ETSU to be...I just don't see it. My only real concern about this game is that it's the first for our new coaching staff. ETSU is just not some FCS powerhouse to be concerned about. I really like our chances Saturday..

[bigdaddyg]

I mean let’s be real: How many FBS o-lines have been able to handle our front 7? How many from G5? Do we think ETSU has a better OL than, say, Troy? Or ULL, MTSU, etc?

I suspect that the ETSU fear group must be soiling their underpants over the idea of playing ULL, Troy, Georgia Southern, UNC, or USC...and again, the players and coaches need to focus on them but as a fan...not worried.

I get your point. Fans do have the luxury to look ahead. However, it is also important to be able to objectively adjust and readjust expectations weekly based off of what you saw the week before. The manner that we beat a week one opponent should have zero influence on how we will play the week 2 opponent and so on. An example of this would be the expected score of this week’s game. Most on here expect us to curb stomp ETSU. so what is the definition of curb stomping in your mind? If we beat them say 30-3, does that mean that we are going to struggle against better competition?

I don't know what to expect as for a final score..possibly something like Charlotte last year but that will depend on how many, and at what point, younger guys are brought in and how well the new coaching staff handles game situations with introducing some new play concepts. I'm just wearing thin on how good some perceive ETSU to be...I just don't see it. My only real concern about this game is that it's the first for our new coaching staff. ETSU is just not some FCS powerhouse to be concerned about. I really like our chances Saturday..

If we win, say 40-10 but are up 30-3 at the half and coach takes his foot off the gas and subs liberally we will have to endure a week or worry about UNCC. If we win 70-10 we will have to endure a week of worry about UNCC because everyone is too cocky. Just blow them out of the water and do the same to Charlotte.

[Rick83]

I mean let’s be real: How many FBS o-lines have been able to handle our front 7? How many from G5? Do we think ETSU has a better OL than, say, Troy? Or ULL, MTSU, etc?

I suspect that the ETSU fear group must be soiling their underpants over the idea of playing ULL, Troy, Georgia Southern, UNC, or USC...and again, the players and coaches need to focus on them but as a fan...not worried.

I get your point. Fans do have the luxury to look ahead. However, it is also important to be able to objectively adjust and readjust expectations weekly based off of what you saw the week before. The manner that we beat a week one opponent should have zero influence on how we will play the week 2 opponent and so on. An example of this would be the expected score of this week’s game. Most on here expect us to curb stomp ETSU. so what is the definition of curb stomping in your mind? If we beat them say 30-3, does that mean that we are going to struggle against better competition?

I don't know what to expect as for a final score..possibly something like Charlotte last year but that will depend on how many, and at what point, younger guys are brought in and how well the new coaching staff handles game situations with introducing some new play concepts. I'm just wearing thin on how good some perceive ETSU to be...I just don't see it. My only real concern about this game is that it's the first for our new coaching staff. ETSU is just not some FCS powerhouse to be concerned about. I really like our chances Saturday..

If we win, say 40-10 but are up 30-3 at the half and coach takes his foot off the gas and subs liberally we will have to endure a week or worry about UNCC. If we win 70-10 we will have to endure a week of worry about UNCC because everyone is too cocky. Just blow them out of the water and do the same to Charlotte.

...and then stomp them Heels!!

[proasu89]

People that worry will never run out of things to worry about. That being said, #beatetsu so we can start looking past Charlotte to September 21

[AppSt94]

Score aside, I just don't see the totality of this game giving the fan base anything to get excited about in the short term. I think that we run our bread and butter plays to death trying to get into a rhythm. I don't think that we see many designed chunk plays but maybe we have some big plays pop based on our athleticism. I don't see us substituting liberally simply because too many guys need game speed reps within the new system.

If we come out of the game mentally sharp. i.e. few delay of games, few unforced errors, and some young guys not missing assignments, then I will feel good about the rest of the season. I want to see preparedness over margin of victory.

[bigdaddyg]

6’8 - 315 lbs
6’3 - 315 lbs
6’3 - 305 lbs
6’7 - 332 lbs
6’7 - 335 lbs

Tarhole Oline. Told a Carolina fan friend of mine that them boys best have quick feet cause our defense is fast as hell.

Beat ETSU (almost forgot)

[Appstate88]

DG was with PB on App State Athletics Facebook Live today and said we will not have the inflatable helmet at the bottom of the ramp for the home opener against ETSU. We will also have a new twist to the opening video for the team to enter the field. He went on to mentioned Alumni will form a human tunnel for the players and coaches to run onto the field.

[Gonzo]

Good. The inflatable Hardee’s helmet is wack.